The military was authorized to join the police in their operations on the streets.
On Wednesday, Ruto formally submitted a request to Parliament to remove the Finance Bill 2024.
In his memorandum submitted shortly after announcing the withdrawal, Ruto cited extensive protests against the bill.
“In exercise of the powers conferred to me by Article 115(1)(b) of the Constitution, and having reservations on the content of the Bill in its entirety, I decline to assent to the Finance Bill, 2024, and refer the bill for reconsideration by the National Assembly with the recommendation for deletion of the clauses thereof,” the memorandum reads.
This means the bill stands withdrawn and the decision can only be overturned by two-thirds of the 349 MPs (233).
The move came after he had met a group of MPs at State House following protests opposed to the proposed taxes.
“I send condolences to the families of those who lost their loved ones in this unfortunate manner. Consequently, having reflected on the continuing conversation around the content of the finance bill of 2024, I will decline to assent to the bill,” he said.
Kenyans kept mobilising online with divided opinion on the planned protests in the coming week.
